Keith Olbermann did a very funny piece on this on his Msnbc show...you can read his blog about it at bloggerman on msnbc.com.

just a ploy to get the French to like us again.

Did they put a french-fry stand up in the park, too? And are they allowing dog poop now, like in Paris?

I was there on saturday, around 4pm. When we got there, I have to say that I was feeling a little underwhelmed. I was expecting to be awed, but each individual gate is nothing to write home about. After walking a bit, I started to see the effect of multiple gates, and realizing how many there were. I hadn't read yet that there are more than 7,500 gates installed.

Then the wind started to blow, and the cloths started to sway...in unison. It looked amazing...

Then we got to the base of Strawberry Fields, one of the places recommended by the NYT. It is a really cool place to watch the effect.

Winter seems to be the perfect time to pull off something like this. You can see so much more gates through the bare trees, and the effect is multiplied.

I don't know if this is high art. As someone who doesn't go to the park regularly, I don't know if this is annoying. I did like the overall effect. I think that someone overheard by ellenem said it best, when they said to their teens "You will remember this". I know that I will!

Nicely put, hunnym. That's the point I've been trying to get across. The apparent joy was evident everywhere. And, if it took The Gates to create the happy environment...great!
(And, to all photographers: I just got my pictures developed, and The Gates is indeed a great photo op!)

Give me 21 million, I'll make New Yorkers a lot more "joyous" than the gates are making them.

I'm telling you, it would have been much more interesting if 7,500 New Yorkers had donated a set of sheets to hang from "the gates."

"Look mom! There's Star Wars!!"

Instead, all we get is the dyspeptic "vomit orange."

Saw it -- underwhelmed. Ok, a lot of people around the park (I entered at W. 81st st) were really enjoying it and that's great! Bring the kids, dogs, annoying in-laws -- someone in that group will undoubtedly enjoy it.

My husband and I were there early Sun. a.m. We arrived about 8:30, and parked by the Plaza, got out, walked a bit there, and then drove to the other side, looking for another spot. We were fortunate to get a spot on the Harlem side. It's been many years since I've seen Central Park at that end, and I'd forgotten just how beautiful the park is up there. For years, I wouldn't venture there for safety reasons. It seems the area has really improved.

Regarding the 'Gates' exhibit, to me, the best part about it is the number of people it has drawn to the park, to see it's beauty. We found people eager to talk about it, which was a positive in itself. The mood, even at that early hour, was very positive. I would not want the gates there indefinitely, but I think they provided a wonderful opportunity to give a reason for so many people to come and explore Central Park. The plus of all that security, was that anyone would feel safe there, anywhere in the park. And, the grounds and facilities were spotless. That's a definite plus!

I also couldn't help notice the heavy traffic of all those carriages. Most the time, they sit idle by 59th St. How great for all of them! They can all take vacations after this! And, I'm sure the restaurants and hotels in the area have benifitted as well.

There are those who prefer to see the cup half empty. I prefer to see it half full.....

Jeez, Gekko, chill out!

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I get the feeling Gekko doesn't like The Gates. Maybe it's just me though.

Just be happy that if you don't like it, it will go away, not everyone has the luxury of temporary public art.

There are a few ‘things’ bolted to the ground in my fair city I’d be happy to see carted away after a few weeks

Just so ya'all don't think I am a total grump about art, I want you to know that my favorite temporary 'about town' art over the past few years has been the painted cows and big apples. Each one individually painted by a different artist. Unique, special, colorful, some story telling, and an udder (sorry, couldn't resist) surprise when encountered. They were spaced out about the city and it became fun to try to see how many different ones you could spot before they were taken away. I saw the same thing done in Vermont with sheep last summer. Now THAT'S fun! If anybody is interested in seeing the apples, they are being auctioned on ebay for charity and they start at $550.

We were in line at the Metropolitan Museum when it opened to go to the roof garden for a view. I enjoyed seeing it from there but I really enjoyed walking through the park much more. It is great to see the different planes the gates create in viewing the park. Also the different ways the light and wind change the way they look.

Vittrad has a great point. This is only temporary--and for a matter of DAYS, at that!

Meanwhile, I sit here in Alabama, jealous that I am going to miss this exhibit by only a few days when I visit NYC in a few weeks. The opportunity to see this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, whether it is well-received or not. I happen to think it looks just lovely, and also a little scary, like fire flames licking the trees, and even majestic with the beautiful fabric flapping along int he wind. All of things are what art SHOULD be, and all of these emotions are what art IS. You New Yorkers are so lucky to be hosting this display, whether you like it personally or not.

Wishing I was there....bamakelly

Gekko, having a bad day?

Having a great day, actually.

Thanks for asking.

The more I read, the more I realize how many people are completely underwhelmed by the gates fiasco.

But go ahead and "ooh" and "ahh" if it makes you feel better.

God Gekko, you're tone . . . it's so dismissive of anyone who expresses enthusiasm for something you don't like. Once maybe ok, but now you've posted what . . . 8 times that you don't like "The Gates"" and the attendant hoopla. OK. enuf already.

whoops. I mean "your tone".

To HowardR: As per your request...

Author: bellastar
Date: 02/15/2005, 07:13 am
Message: to ALL, including Gekko, (BTW Gekko, we can buy the Post for 25 cents, you need to offer original opinions intstead)
I have been working for the NYC Parks department as a Parktender volunteer for five years, and I've seen alot of public behavior in the park of all kinds, I must spend probably a third of my volunteer hour cleaning up defacement of the park by various people, and pets, etc.).
IMO, this is very much a NYC thing, although it will attract an international audience.
Cristo and Jean-Claude are longtime NYers, and have dedicated much of their time for the last 20 plus years to work with the communities surrounding the park, and the Parks department to achieve a way to install this glorious work and still repect "nature" in the Park, (which is entirely man-made). That is one of the most wonderful things about it, it is constructed in a way that turns no soil, and disturbs not a single branch of a tree. Unlike many public works of art, all members of the public can walk, skip and run right through it. I even talked to a 72nd street bus driver who loved it because he could see the gates from blocks away!

The saffron color is purposely designed to be the exact complement to the gray green of the environment at this time of the year. It reminded me of Tibetan prayer flags and Buddhist monk's robes.

In my twenty plus years of living in this city, I have to say that Sunday was one of the most joyous days I've ever seen in Central Park! And I also noticed that the crowds were smiling and very peaceful and friendly to each other, which is not always the case with Park crowds. It was an awe inspiring day! I know there are naysayers(what would NY be without them?), but the vast vast majority I obseved, from Harlem to 59th street, were visibly thrilled.

Even the gentle sound of the flags flapping when the wind passed through was like the sound a sail makes when you are in a sailboat. It was moving and beautiful. Today will be gray, and my mother and I can't wait to go there and see them in all their wonderful color bringing joy and warmth to the surroundings.

I signed up to work on the crews, but couldn't take park as a result of not being able to get the time off of work. How I wish I could have participated!! It is a grand success which will be remembered for generations.

I think this will be an incredible 2 weeks!!!

Thanks very much, TuckH.